Public Health Service Act

On June 17, 2015, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) published a proposed rule to clarify how manufacturers should calculate the ceiling price for covered outpatient drugs under the 340B program, and to provide for civil monetary penalties (CMPs) on manufacturers that “knowingly and intentionally” overcharge 340B covered entities.[1]  The ceiling price provisions are not expected to significantly change manufacturers’ current practices; however, the possibility of CMPs is a new aspect of the 340B program.  Although HRSA speculates that the use of CMPs will “probably be rare,” the proposed rule does not provide significant guidance regarding what constitutes a knowing and intentional violation.  The rule would also subject manufacturers to liability for failure to ensure that covered entities receive 340B pricing from wholesalers or other distributors, raising questions about manufacturers’ obligations to oversee these entities.
Continue Reading HRSA Proposes Calculation of 340B Ceiling Prices, Implementation of Manufacturer Civil Monetary Penalties